Gaming

Dutch Dwarf Rabbit – Feeding and housing

The Netherland Dwarf is the smallest of the 45 breeds recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association, weighing just shy of 2 pounds when fully grown.

Feeding

The digestive system of a Netherland Dwarf is sensitive, even by rabbit standards. A constant supply of fresh water is a must; rabbits cannot absorb water from their food. A gravity fed water bottle attached to the inside of his cage will prevent spills and contamination. Plus, a steady supply of timothy hay provides a great source of fiber and allows for all-day snacking. Alfalfa could be used, but it is higher in calcium and protein and lower in fiber. Too much calcium can cause serious kidney and bladder problems. About 250 mg a day is enough for a mature Dutch Dwarf.

Rabbit food should be limited to about 1 ounce per pound of weight per day, unless you have a pregnant or lactating female, or an infant less than four months old, in which case a constant supply should be provided. Only buy a month’s supply of food at a time, as the pellets can go bad or moldy and cause illness. They can also lose important nutrients for your rabbit’s physical well-being. Domestic rabbits do well with a pellet containing 18-20% fiber, 14-15% protein, and 2-3% fat. Once you find a good brand, stick with it. Frequently changing your food can cause dangerous digestive problems.

For rabbits over six months of age, you can supplement their staple diet with raw fruits and vegetables in amounts of about a teaspoon at a time. Introduce new foods for a couple of weeks to give their systems time to adjust. Kitchen scraps work great here, but food that’s about to go bad is better for the compost pile than your bunny’s belly.

Good choices are apples, grapes, pears, oranges, strawberries, cherries, raspberries, blueberries, papayas, pineapples, melons, mangoes, peaches, tomatoes, peas, beans , kale, carrot tops, mustard greens, dandelion greens, sugar beets, and parsnips. , parsley and potato skins. Take care to remove any seeds or pits first.

Never feed your bunny lettuce. Lettuce contains lactucarium, which can cause severe diarrhea. Diarrhea can kill a rabbit. Romaine lettuce has the lowest amounts of lactucarium of common garden varieties. Other foods to avoid include cabbage, parsnips, and tomato leaves.

Accommodation

While each rabbit has their own unique personality, they and their owners can enjoy hours of interaction through play and physical contact. If you decide that a Netherland Dwarf is the bunny for you, preparing a suitable habitat will be the first step in his overall care.

The Netherland Dwarf is the smallest of the 45 breeds recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association, weighing just shy of 2 pounds when fully grown. But they are hardy little fellas and do quite well inside or outside, even in winter.

A dwarf cage should be at least three feet square, but bigger is better. Creating multiple levels connected with ramps is an easy way to increase the overall size of an enclosure without sacrificing floor space.

Outdoor housing must provide protection from the dampness and cold of winter and the heat of summer. A cabin made of heavy wood with wire walls and a waterproof roof, raised off the ground, is ideal. Even though your rabbit will be safe inside his hutch, he may still be scared to death of a threatening predator. Include an enclosed area inside the hutch to give your bunny a place to hide when scared, or just to shelter from the weather. Litter material should be provided in the form of wood chips and/or clean straw. Indoor housing doesn’t have to be as utilitarian, but it should still provide a safe, secure, and comfortable home for your pet.

Traditionally, wire-bottomed enclosures have been used to allow droppings to fall into a tray for easy cleaning. However, wire cages can be hard on rabbits’ feet and a solid area should be provided for them to rest comfortably. Alternatively, rabbits can be litter box trained. Never use clumping kitty litter or cedar chips, both of which can be harmful if ingested. Feed, hay, and water containers should be cage mounted to prevent spillage and contamination.

Regardless of how luxurious the accommodations, however, your bunny will still need room to romp and roam outside of his cage. Care must be taken to ensure the safety of your rabbit anywhere you allow it to run. Indoor spaces must be rabbit-proofed. Outdoor spaces must be properly closed.

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